: Fastening a fence to the saw does allow you to do a rip: However: as the
: board gets smaller in width, how do you hold it?

Very carefully? Bryan (I think) had some photos and text showing a two inch bumper board on his cutting table to the off side of the saw (away from the fence). He also had a block of wood up near the top of the bumper board screwed into his cutting table, using just one screw (allows it to pivot).

You put the board you are working up against the bumper and the end stop.

I may lose some wood down at the very last bit of each board getting ripped.

I've never done much (you can read that ANY) table saw work. Can you rip a slightly more than 1/2" board into two 1/4" boards (had to allow for kerf)?